V
MACHIAVELISM[ToC]
Mendacity and Faithlessness.
(Before the War.)
362. A stock of inherited conceptions of integrity and morality is a necessity for government.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 317.
363. When one really meditates a war, one must say no word about it; one must envelop one's designs in a profound mystery; then, suddenly and without warning, one leaps like a thief in the night—as the Japanese destroyers leapt upon the unsuspecting Port Arthur, as Frederick II. threw himself upon Silesia.[35]—A. Wirth, U.A.P., p. 36.
364. The brilliant Florentine was the first to infuse into politics the great idea that the State is Power. The consequences of this thought are far-reaching. It is the truth, and those who dare not face it had better leave politics alone.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 85.
365. As real might can alone guarantee the endurance of peace and security, and as war is the best test of real might, war contains the promise of future peace. But it must if possible [womöglich] be a righteous and honourable war, something in the nature of a war of defence.—J. Burckhardt, W.B., p. 164.
366. It was Machiavelli who first laid down the maxim that when the State's salvation is at stake there must be no enquiry into the purity of the means employed; only let the State be secured and no one will condemn them.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 83.